Ringgold bans youth wrestling program over ‘thug’ comment
NEW EAGLE – A Ringgold youth wrestling program has been banned from using school facilities after its coach made racist comments on Facebook describing two high school football players who were charged in an assault, the district said.
Ringgold Lil Rams Wrestling Coach Doug Conroy said he used the term “thugs” in reference to two players accused of a brawl at the high school football stadium last month, but that he didn’t believe the word had racial connotations.
Football players Dezmier Alize Majors and Tyrese Lamont Youngblood, who are black and 18 years old, have been accused of assaulting fellow player Roderick Wilson Jr., 16, after a football practice Sept. 13. Majors and Youngblood, who are both from Donora, were charged with simple assault. Youngblood also is charged with harassment. They face a preliminary hearing Oct. 19 before District Judge Larry Hopkins.
Ringgold School District has banned the youth team from using school facilities until the program removes Conroy from his coaching position, according to a letter to the program from district Superintendent Karen Polkabla.
“It has come to the district’s attention that a member of your organization, Doug Conroy, has made inappropriate and racist comments about Ringgold students,” Polkabla stated in the letter, a copy of which also was circulating on Facebook. “Such conduct cannot and will not be tolerated.”
Polkabla informed the team that the district had received several requests to remove Conroy from the program, but the district does not have the authority to take that action.
Conroy, when contacted Tuesday, said he has stepped aside as coach while the team fights the district’s decision.
“I will in no way jeopardize a program that serves the youth of our district,” Conroy said. “Until we resolve this issue, I am no longer a coach or board member.”
Conroy said he and his wife have devoted six years of their lives to the team, which has 60 members.
“I feel the district may have come to a knee-jerk conclusion regarding this matter, and sent that letter hastily,” said Conroy, who plans to speak to the school board at its next meeting.
Polkabla also stated in her letter that she hoped the wrestling organization realizes the seriousness of Conroy’s comments. She also said the ban would be lifted once the district receives notification in writing that Conroy has been removed from the program.